Fyren laughed, "Wow, it's not my fault the Titanic is about to hit an iceberg."
Eliza entered with several assistants carrying large bags of gifts. HongZhang and Fyren's mother rushed to greet them.
"Aiya, Eliza is here?"
Eliza smiled. "Hello, Uncle and Aunt. I brought some gifts to visit you."
Noticing Xena's presence, her expression faltered before quickly forming a smile. "Xena's here too."
Xena returned a faint smile, her eyes sharp as blades. "Why does Sister Leng have so much free time?"
"Oh, I came to visit Uncle and Aunt to show some filial respect."
"How thoughtful of you. Though in the three years Fyren pursued you, I never saw you come by to fulfill such duties?"
Their words bristled with thorns.
Eliza replied, "Before when things were unsettled, I felt too embarrassed to visit. But now that I'm practically part of the Zhang family, it's only proper that I pay respects to my future in-laws in advance."
HongZhang and Fyren's mother exchanged uneasy glances.
What a situation!
This Eliza... suddenly taking initiative too.
True, she was previously engaged to the Leng family, but Elton Leng had rejected the match!
Now with Xena pressing forward, how should they face Eliza?
Being too cold wouldn't do - Eliza had spent the night here with Fyren. She'd been their ideal daughter-in-law back then. To turn their backs now would be unseemly.
Yet being too warm would signal to Xena that she wasn't their preferred choice.
The elderly couple found themselves in an awkward position.
Xena countered, "But I heard the engagement between the Leng and Zhang families was canceled. Uncle Elton personally called - and his attitude was quite poor!"
"My marriage is my own decision," Eliza stated. "When I say I'm committed to Fyren, I mean it. Right, Fyren?"
"Huh?" Fyren played dumb. "Ah, hi, hahaha! Mmmmmm..."
Xena declared, "Fyren is with me now. I'm afraid the Lengs have missed their chance."
Eliza laughed. "I've also heard Uncle Xu strongly opposes your match. He says his family doesn't need marriage to gain the Zhangs' support, that the Xu family is too proud to marry off their daughter just for money. Not very pleasant words either."
Xena retorted, "Fyren will visit my father tomorrow! He'll agree then!"
"Oh? So he hasn't consented yet?"
Xena flushed with anger. "Regardless, I've decided to be with Fyren. Fyren likes me too - he just pinned me down in the car! Fyren, tell her - didn't you just press me against the car seat?"
Fyren's face flushed red. "What are you talking about!"
"Everyone knows! Everyone in the Zhang family knows!"
Eliza was furious too. "I even spent the night at the Zhangs' house a few days ago—slept in the same room as Fyren! How do you compare to that?"
"Oh? How unfortunate. After you, I was the one who slept in Fyren's room! And we even drank together! Didn't we, Fyren?"
Fyren's mother clutched her forehead. "Hong, hold me up… I'm feeling a little lightheaded."
HongZhang quickly steadied his wife and guided her toward the living room, whispering in concern, "Are you alright?"
Fyren's mother lowered her voice. "I'm just pretending. Didn't our Fyren used to drive them away? What's wrong with him now?"
"I don't get it either. No idea what kind of trickery this kid's pulled."
HongZhang helped his wife sit down, then returned and cleared his throat. "Eliza, Xena… why don't you both sit down first? Let's talk properly."
Once they were seated, HongZhang realized he didn't quite know what to say.
"Well… your intentions, your aunt and I understand. Ahem."
"This matter… still requires careful consideration. Eliza, you know, your aunt and I absolutely approved of you at first—we even accepted you, couldn't wait for you two to get engaged! But your father withdrew from the marriage halfway, and his attitude was very firm. With him being so adamant… what could we say?"
Eliza immediately responded, "Uncle, Auntie, my fate is my own to decide. I've made up my mind—in this life, I'm set on following Fyren. Whether my father agrees or not, I'm staying with him."
HongZhang was baffled. "But what's so good about Fyren? This kid—"
"Ahem!" Fyren's mother nudged him sharply.
"Oh." HongZhang caught himself, realizing he'd nearly blurted out his thoughts. "I mean… your feelings, Uncle understands. To be honest, in matters like this, we elders can only encourage things along. The real decision lies with you two—whether you're both moving in the same direction."
Xena pouted. "Dad, what are you saying? You don't want Xena anymore?"
"No, no, Xena!" HongZhang waved his hands. "Your devotion to our Fyren—your aunt and I have seen it clearly, and we mean what we say. We absolutely support you two being together! But your side… well, your father seems to have his reservations about our Fyren. And between families like ours… if the parents don't agree, marriage is no simple matter."
Eliza and Xena remained stubbornly planted there.
Where had HongZhang and Fyren's mother ever seen such a battle before?
Frankly, having girls fighting over their son wasn't entirely unexpected.
For a young man worth hundreds of billions, it'd be stranger if he didn't attract attention.
But in truth, the Zhang family was simple at heart. Despite moving in circles of wealth and power, their roots were still grounded in humble, traditional values.
Moreover, HongZhang had always told his two sons: those girls are unreliable. They only come for your money. They'll cling to you for wealth and do anything for it - including betraying you.
But Eliza and Xena were clearly different.
These two girls were serious.
And that made them the hardest to handle.
HongZhang glared at Fyren. "Fyren, look what you've done! What now? You'd better explain yourself!"
Fyren shrugged. "Together."
"What?"
Fyren said shamelessly, "They can both stay here tonight. We'll go from bed to bed, and whoever serves me better gets to stay."
HongZhang's eyes bulged. "What the hell are you saying? Do you need another beating?"
Fyren's mother gently tugged HongZhang's sleeve, signaling him not to interfere - Fyren must have his own plan.
Sure enough, this reverse psychology tactic stunned both Eliza and Xena into silence.
Fyren laughed inwardly.
[Stupid, huh? Confused? Not so determined now, are you?]
[Try fighting me? I'll give you both hands and feet and still scare you to death with my lion's roar!]
[Don't leave if you're so brave. I'll take you both on tonight!]
Xena saw Fyren's smug expression and declared, "You're right! I won't back down!" She immediately said, "Fine! I agree!"
HongZhang's eyes widened to their limit as he stared at Xena in shock.
He thought to himself: Girls these days are too bold!
Fyren's mother was equally stunned. They're much more unrestrained than in my youth! We used to be embarrassed just holding hands in public!
Eliza could hear Fyren's thoughts and knew he was deliberately putting both of them on the spot - whoever backed down now would lose.
She smiled faintly. "Alright then, it's settled."
HongZhang and Fyren's mother turned their heads in unison to stare at Fyren.
Their expressions said: This was your terrible idea. Now these two have gone crazy - how are you going to fix this?
Fyren was even more confused!
[This is actually happening!]
[These two have completely lost it! Am I really that attractive?]
Fyren leaned over to look in the mirror, examining himself first.
Eliza and Xena heard Fyren's inner thoughts and giggled simultaneously.
HongZhang and his wife could no longer think straight.
Laughing?
Had they missed some joke?
"Uh..." Fyren didn't know what to say. "Then... uh..."
Xena walked over and grabbed Fyren's arm. "Fyren, let me draw your bath!"
Eliza gritted her teeth and approached demurely. "I'll prepare the bathwater for my brother."
Fyren stopped them after barely three steps. "Stop! Stop stop stop! I was wrong! You're both my ancestors! I surrender!"
Eliza laughed. "Oh? Our Fyren is chickening out!"
"Exactly!" Xena said. "Weren't you going to 'fly double'? You didn't even take the opportunity when it was given! Coward! Ugh..."
Fyren struggled to pull his arm from Xena's grasp. "You're both insane! Completely insane!"
Fyren felt like his head was about to explode. "Well then, why don't you both go home tonight? I'll... I'll think about it and we can talk tomorrow, haha! You should head home first!"
Eliza and Xena locked eyes, their gazes filled with mutual challenge and unyielding pride.
Xena declared, "I'm not leaving until she does."
Eliza countered, "I'll only go if she leaves first."
Fyren groaned, "How about I leave instead?"
Just then, Zaring came rushing in again. "Master, Madam, Young Master..."
Fyren snapped irritably, "What now?"
"The... the Chen family's eldest miss... she's here."
HongZhang and his wife exchanged stunned glances.
HongZhang clutched his chest dramatically. "No no no, I'm having a heart attack!"
Fyren's mother played along, "Oh dear! Quick, I'll take you to the hospital!"
They made a show of trying to escape.
Xena called their bluff. "Dad, if it's a heart attack, your other arm should be numb."
"Huh? Really?" HongZhang immediately switched arms. "No no no, I definitely need to see a doctor..."
...
At the Mighty Syndicate's Crystalpeak City branch in Northlandia:
Helmsman sat on his throne, his expression dark.
Tactician approached. "Helmsman!"
"I heard. Damn that Iron King - hasn't reported in over twenty-four hours."
"We should send someone to clean house immediately."
"Let the Red Guards handle their own mess!"
"Additionally..." Tactician continued, "the five billion in cash has been transferred to Dasheng Group's account. The young lord is requesting another sum."
"What!?" Helmsman shot to his feet. "Five billion! That's five billion dollars!"
"But the fault lies with us. We still have to provide this five billion."
"Do I look like a golden goose to you?"
Tactician smiled faintly. "Helmsman jokes. Even a golden goose working overtime couldn't lay five billion dollars worth of eggs."
Helmsman glared. "Do I look like I'm joking?!"
"Ah... what I meant was, we still need to provide this money."
Helmsman slammed his palm on the armrest. "Scrape it together and send another five billion! And this time send someone competent!"
"Yes, Helmsman! You can count on me!"